Villalba del Alcor: Historical Heritage and Wine Landscapes

In the historic centre of Villalba del Alcor stands the Parish Church of San Bartolomé, recognised as a Historic-Artistic Monument and as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Convent of San Juan Bautista is the only surviving enclosed convent of the Discalced Carmelite nuns of its kind in the Condado and was founded in 1618. Its church has a Mudejar roof and two 18th-century altarpieces; the main altar was made by Fernando de Barahona.

Culture

The Antiguo Hospital de la Misericordia dates from the 16th century. Only a side entrance, now bricked up, and the church's main portal have survived. The Casa del Cañón is one of the 18th-century Andalusian manor houses in Villalba del Alcor and also belongs to a group of houses with whitewashed façades, Arab tiles and windows protected by grilles. The town's manor houses are located along the former Calle Real.

The 20th-century Torre Alambique formerly served as a distillery and is now a private residence. The Ermita de Santa Águeda is an octagonal Neo-Gothic building from the 19th century. Contemporary paintings by Manuel Travado on the ceiling and in the dado area of a chapel depict the Stations of the Cross and were restored by Antonio Hermosilla. One of the chapels also contains a sacred wooden beam created by the sculptor Joaquín Moreno Daza. The brotherhood's movable religious heritage includes an image of Our Lady of the Angels.

Festivals

Holy Week in Villalba del Alcor reaches its peak on Holy Wednesday. In the afternoon, the brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima del Socorro proceeds through the town.

Villalba del Alcor is the only municipality in the Province of Huelva where Toro-de-Cuerda bull runs are held; the festival dates back to the 18th century. During the Toro de cuerda, the bull remains loose in the streets for about an hour while runners follow it and avoid it. The event takes place in August and September during the festivities in honour of the Virgen del Carmen. Every May, Villalba del Alcor takes part in the Cruces de Mayo, creating a special street display to celebrate spring.

Wine and Cuisine

Villalba del Alcor's wine tradition is associated with the first wine shipment to the Indias, dated to 1503. In the Condado, Villalba del Alcor is one of the municipalities associated with guided bodega tours. These tours introduce visitors to traditional wine- and vinegar-making methods; some bodegas also offer vineyard visits, tastings, food pairings and tastings of regional products.

Villalba del Alcor's culinary profile includes Tostón and Lomo en manteca. It is complemented by handcrafted sweets such as Roscos fritos, Brazos de gitano and Empanadillas.

Nature

The Villalba del Alcor–Manzanilla route passes through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, grain fields, eucalyptus groves and dehesa areas. The route is shaped by the wine-growing tradition of both towns; at the end, there is an opportunity to visit a bodega.

On the Ruta Sierra Norte, the landscape changes from cultivated land to a spring fountain with a dome and livestock watering trough, and then to a stand of holm oaks and its associated scrubland. Hikers can observe deer, wild boar and foxes there.

Other Places

Other destinations on this page are Puerto Moral, Puebla De Guzmán, Punta Umbría, Los Marines, Jabuguillo, Paterna Del Campo, Cortegana and Valverde Del Camino.

The building next to the Museo de Artes y Costumbres de Villalba del Alcor has a conference and projection hall as well as other cultural uses.

For the higher-level travel overview: Huelva.